Former Virginia big man James Johnson, who walked away from the 16th-ranked Cavaliers' program last month, said Thursday that he will transfer to San Diego State.

“I wanted to come to a place where I could grow my game and grow as a person,” Johnson told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “It was my dream to play ball and get a scholarship and get to the league and all that. I wasn’t in the best position to acquire that if I was in Canada. I figured I should take a risk and come down here.”

Johnson (6-9, 238) was a top-100 recruit out of high school. He spent nine years living in the Canadian town of Lethbridge before his family moved to San Diego when he was in high school.

After arriving at Virginia, he redshirted in 2010-11 and then couldn't get much playing time this season behind Mike Scott and Akil Mitchell, averaging 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in six games.

He will be eligible to play for San Diego State after the fall semester in December. He will have 2 ½ years of eligibility remaining. He could step into a good situation because the Aztecs' two primary post players, Tim Shelton and Garrett Green, are both seniors this year.